My form must improve, not just the players, says Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold

Having taken just one point in their last three matches, Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold acknowledges his side could be going a whole lot better - and he admits his form on the sidelines has wavered as much as his players.

The Sky Blues' watertight defence has lost their aura in recent weeks and was punched open multiple times during the first half of their 2-2 draw with Adelaide United last week.

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With an in-form Perth Glory arriving at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, and in desperate need of points to stay in touch with the top six, Sydney will need to rediscover the form that made them title contenders earlier in the year.

According to Arnold, the team is capable finding that level but will need to lift, something he doesn't exclude himself from.

Sydney FC marquee striker Alex Brosque will start after a lengthy layoff due to a hamstring injury. Photo: Getty Images

"We've had hiccups along the way with injuries or players not in form, and I include myself in that. I've had bad weeks as well on the sidelines. Now with nine games to go, in the last part of the season, now it's about no excuses," he said. "Stepping up to plate, every player and performing to the best of our ability and, again, I include myself in that. As a coaching staff, we have to perform better than what we have been."

With hindsight, Arnold said he felt he hadn't always made the best tactical or selection decisions to get his team the desired outcome.

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"Maybe at times [I could have been better] and I take responsibility for everything that happens here. My team selections could have been better in certain games," he said. "I take risks, as a coach, and some of those risks probably didn't come off. That's something [to be aware of] and I've got to make sure my focus is 110 per cent from now and making sure our preparation is spot on for every game.

"I never sit on my hands during a game - I change the tactics and system to try and get the result we need - and that won't change."

While the coach openly puts his hand up at the need to improve, he wants his squad to do the same after some underwhelming displays.

"Now the players need to step up. We've had a bit of inconsistency over the first 18 games," he said. "Our performances have been good in patches during games but now we have to start playing for 90-95 minutes and get the right result."

Despite all that, Arnold believes Sydney are well-placed to strike in the final third of the season and with the top two only six points away, he's confident of a title charge.

"I did a presentation to the boys on Tuesday. For me, the first 18 games is about getting yourself in a position to be able to be successful and win something. We've done that," he said. "There will be a lot of twists and turns in the games. From here, everyone is under pressure. We're all fighting for top spot. Top spot isn't far away from six teams and Perth Glory are coming back.

"We've got an important nine weeks ahead of us and the Asian Champions League is going to add to that. I'm confident we'll be right."

More than a year has passed since the Sky Blues locked horns with the Glory at home and Arnold is fully aware that Kenny Lowe's side won't be lacking confidence heading east.

"They beat us last year with a penalty and they scored off a free-kick in that game, so we know they're a dangerous side and Kenny Lowe is a fantastic coach. He's doing a great job," he said. "The hardest thing, I think for Perth, is the travel, they've had to stay in Wellington all week after playing there on Sunday. It's not the best place to stay for a week."

Arnold confirmed that marquee striker Alex Brosque would start after a lengthy layoff due to a hamstring injury and said new signing David Carney would join him.

"'Brosquey' played as a number nine in two games before he got injured and against Newcastle he scored and was outstanding, especially his combination with [Milos] Ninkovic and [Filip] Holosko. Then he played for 25 minutes against the Mariners [scoring twice] and when he went off we were up 3-0," he said. "We've tried four numbers nines this year - Brosque, Matt Simon, Shane Smeltz and George Blackwood - but Brosquey brings a lot of experience and quality. In the A-League, under a salary cap, if your marquee isn't playing it's something that can hurt you.

"[Carney] hasn't played that much but in the 20 minutes he played last week, he added a lot to the game. The opposition look at him and fear him because of his reputation, who he is and what he can do. He puts their right full-back immediately on the back foot."